Asif Malik
Srinagar, Aug 19 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the United States may reconsider its travel advisory for the Valley, asserting that the security situation in the Union Territory has improved significantly.
CM Omar Abdullah’s remarks came after his meeting with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who is on his maiden visit to Kashmir. The discussions, described as “very good” by the Chief Minister, focused on expanding bilateral engagement with specific focus on Jammu and Kashmir.
“We had an opportunity to discuss the relations between our two countries, but with specific focus on what the U.S. can do with Jammu and Kashmir,” CM Omar told reporters after the meeting as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).
The Chief Minister, however, made it clear that resolving internal issues of the Union Territory remains the prerogative of the Government of India. “Our problems will be solved by the central government, not America. It is not my habit to complain to an ambassador of another country,” he said.
CM Omar noted that “legacy issues” would be addressed over time and expressed optimism that engagement between the US and Jammu and Kashmir would “both widen and deepen in the years ahead.” He added that the dialogue would be pursued both with Washington and the Government of India in New Delhi.
On the US travel advisory, the Chief Minister said “The United States puts out travel warnings, and every so often we re-evaluate those travel warnings. I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something we’re going to look at.”
He credited the central and local administrations for improving the security landscape. “The Government here, we believe, have made some incredible steps to keeping this area safer and making it more safe, and so we will be looking at if the travel warning that is recommended by the United States is something that should be downgraded,” he said.
CM Omar also invited American tourists to the Valley, describing it as a “beautiful area” with immense opportunities. (KNS)
